Q: I am thinking of selling my home soon. What should I be doing to get ready to place my house on the market?
A: Selling your home for the maximum price in the shortest period of time is not as easy as just putting a sign in the yard and waiting for the calls to start pouring in. It takes work and commitment of the homeowner’s part to get the house ready to sell. The current real estate market demands this extra effort. Especially when you consider the fact that there are a lot of first-time homebuyers in the market, and for the most part, are looking for a move-in ready home. A few minor fixes are OK. But, first-time homebuyers will almost always avoid a home that is going to require any major repairs or extensive cosmetic work. In today’s market, homebuyers have many homes to choose from so make sure your home is the one that stands out.
There are a handful of simple and impactful items that a homeowner can do to dramatically increase their chances of selling their home quick and for the greatest price possible. First is to clean, clean, clean! Nothing will turn a potential buyer away faster than a dirty house that shows like it has been neglected for an extended period of time. Buyers often see the surface condition of your home as a sign of what’s underneath. Make sure your home is clean. It’s not hard to do and does not require a great deal of skill.
Curb appeal is essential. This is the first impression for any potential buyer and sets the stage for their expectations for the home. The curb appeal of a home is a great indicator to the buyer as to what the condition of the home might be like on the inside. Keep the yard cleaned up, mulched, free of limbs and leaves and make sure you have some nice shrubs and plants. Also, a fresh coat of paint on the front door is important. The first impression is a lasting impression and meanseverything in getting your home sold!
Inside if the walls, trim and baseboards of your home are beat up looking, take the time to spruce them up. Painting is easy and very cost effective. So, if you are serious about selling your home and want to get the greatest amount of money possible for it, then paint your home BEFORE you put it on the market for sale. Also, make sure you choose a neutral color throughout the home.
There are obviously many other things you could do in addition to these to get your house ready to sell, but these items are a great place to start. Each home may have unique items that need attention before placing it on the market.
Get answers to questions you might have about real estate from Randy Durham, who is president of the Chattanooga Association of Realtors. He also is a broker with Keller Williams Realty. His column appears weekly on Tuesdays. Send your questions to Business Editor John Vass Jr. at jvass@timesfreepress.com